International S. S. Lessons.
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8 LESSON VIII.—NOVEMBER 20, 1892.
PAUL'S SERMON AT ANTIOCH.
[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.] - Brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us is the word of this salvation sent forth.
- For they that dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
- And though they found no cause of death in him, yet asked they of Pilate that he should be slain.
- And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.
- But God raised him from the dead;
- And he was seen for many days of them that came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses unto the people.
- And we bring you good tidings of the promise made unto the fathers,
- How that God hath fulfilled the same unto our children, in that he raised up Jesus; as also it is written in the second Psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
- And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he hath spoken on this wise, I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.
- Because he saith also in another Psalm, Thou wilt not give thy Holy One to see corruption.
- For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption;
- But he whom God raised up saw no corruption.
- Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins;
- And by him everyone that believeth is justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
- Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken in the prophets;
- Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, if one declare it unto you.
- And as they went out, they besought that these words might be spoken to them the next Sabbath.
- Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
(MEMORY VERSE, 38.)
Golden Text.—"To us is the word of this salvation sent forth." Acts 13:26. 1. In response to the invitation to speak in the synagogue at Antioch, what familiar history did Paul rehearse?
"And Paul stood up, and beckoning with the hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken. The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they sojourned in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm led he them forth out of it. And for about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years; and after these things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. And afterward they asked for a king; and God gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom also he bare witness, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who shall do all my will." Acts 13:16-22. See note 1. 2. What did he connect with the mention of David?
"Of this man's seed hath God according to promise brought unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus; when John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was fulfilling his course, he said, What suppose ye that I am? I am not he. But behold, there cometh one after me, the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to unloose." Acts 13:23-25. - What encouraging word did he speak to those present? Verse 26.
- How had the dwellers in Jerusalem condemned themselves? Verse 27.
- What story did Paul next rehearse? Verses 28-31.
- What glad tidings did Paul now declare? Verses 32, 33.
- In what words is the resurrection of Christ spoken of in one place in Isaiah? Verse 34.
- Where are these words found? Isa. 55:3.
- In what other way did Paul show from the Scriptures the resurrection of Christ? Acts 13:35-37.
- What glorious gift is assured by the resurrection of Christ? Verses 38, 39.
- To what does the apostle Peter say that we have been begotten by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead?
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." 1 Peter 1:3, 4.
12. But in what condition only can we have a hope of that inheritance?
"Being therefore justified by faith, let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and let us rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but let us also rejoice in our tribulations; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, probation; and probation, hope." Rom. 5:1-4.
13. Then what must we know of the resurrection of Christ, in order to have this hope?
"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death." Phil. 3:10.
"Having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places." Eph. 1:18-20.
14. How can we know the power of his resurrection?
"Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with him by the likeness of his death, we shall be also by the likeness of his resurrection." Rom. 6:3-5.
"If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God." Col. 3:1. - With what warning did Paul close his discourse? Verses 40, 41.
- What request followed? Verse 42.
- What did Paul and Barnabas do after the meeting? Verse 43.
1. About four hundred and fifty years.—There seems to be a difference between the King James and Revised Version in respect to this period. The common version places it between the time of Joshua and Samuel. The Revised Version seems to place it between the division of Canaan by Joshua and the judges. But "and after these things" (verse 20) probably refers to the division of the land of Canaan. In thus understanding there is harmony. Four hundred and fifty years from Joshua to Samuel is one hundred years more than is given to that same period by Usher and the chronology of our common version. It need not be said that we should prefer that of inspiration to that of uncertain calculations of however eminent scholars.